Container closure assembly



July 23, 1968 c. w. DEARING CONTAINER CLOSURE ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 24, 1966 IN VENTOR.

CA A FENCE 14/ 054mm;

fip

A TTORNE Y United States Patent 3,393,823 CONTAINER CLOSURE ASSEMBLY Clarence W. Dearing, Short Hills, N.J., assignor to American Flange & Manufacturing Co. Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 24, 1966, Ser. No. 522,624 6 Claims. (Cl. 220-39) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A closure assembly for lightweight steel containers including a closure flange which is applied by the container manufacturer. The flange is double seamed to the container wall opening formation so as to subsequently receive a screw threaded closure plug and an overlying cap seal.

This invention relates to containers and closures therefor and is particularly concerned with an improved lightweight container wall closure assembly combination.

It has become the established practice in the liquid handling and shipping field to provide relatively large containers with a wall opening within which the container manufacturer permanently secures an internally threaded flange for the reception of a threaded closure plug. To insure against unauthorized tampering and any possibility of leakage, the filler of the container completes the assembly with the application of an overlying destructible seal. Recent developments in the so called single trip light gauge metal container field have indicated the desirability of continuing this practice employing a lightweight, inexpensive closure assembly.

It has ben found that a satisfactory, leakproof engagement can be effected between a closure flange and the surrounding container wall opening by means of a double seamed joint. Furthermore experience has shown that a strong, eflicient closure is provided by a lightweight closure flange which has its threaded plug receiving neck extending downwardly into the container. Arrangements embodying an upwardly extending neck are deficient in several respects not the least of which is their inability to withstand the abuse and damaging effects of normal container handling.

Any arrangement of a downwardly extending flange, double seamed within a container wall opening, has therefore encountered a serious problem in that its low profile had no provision for securing a cap seal. Embodied in the closure construction of the instant invention is a solution to this problem wherein a short neck is drawn upwardly about the container wall opening and the closure flange double seamed thereto in such a fashion that a cap seal can be effectively applied over the flange and plug. Furthermore a torque resisting configuration is imparted to the interengaging surfaces of the flange and opening neck so as to prevent any possibility of rotational displacement between the closure assembly and the container wall. The foregoing has been accomplished in a unique closure fitting which conforms to standard container manufacturing practices while at the same time offering a functional improvement at a substantial saving in cost.

It is accordingly a primary object of this invention to improve upon closure assembly container wall combinations.

3,393,823 Patented July 23, 1968 Another object is to provide a new and improved lightweight closure flange container wall combination.

A further object is to provide an improved closure flange container wall double seamed joint.

A still further object is to provide a closure flange container wall double seamed joint adapted to receive an overlying cap seal.

A still further object is to provide a double seamed closure assembly container wall combination having improved torque resistance.

Further and more detailed objects of the invention will in part be obvious and in part pointed out as the description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing proceeds.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a sectional exploded view of a container wall opening closure assembly combination in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the unsecured flange in place on the container wall opening with the flange and container wall assembly in place within the insertion die;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view, partially cut away, of the container wall opening and closure assembly;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 2 but with the flange secured to the opening neck;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 and having an unsecured cap seal placed over the flange; and

FIG. 6 is a part elevational, part sectional view of the sealed container wall closure assembly combination.

Considering first the exploded container wall closure assembly of FIG. 1, it is seen that the closure assembly having as its main parts a closure flange 1, a closure-plug 2 and a cap seal 3, is applied to an opening in a container wall 4. Surrounding the opening in the container Wall 4 is an upwardly extending neck having .a stepped configuration comprising a lower cylindrical wall 5, an upper vertical wall 6 and an intermediate horizontal annular wall 7 extending radially inwardly from the upper end of wall 5 to the lower end of wall 6. The upper wall 6 terminates at its upper end in a free edge 8 and, as seen in FIG. 2, is formed with a polygonal crosssectional configuration having a series of flats 9 and corners 10 extending throughout the length of wall 6. A sixteen sided formation has been found to be most advantageous here in order to obtain maximum torque. This number however could be varied depending on the size of the closure and other factors without departing from the scope of the invention.

The closure flange 1, includes a securing formation forming the peripheral portion thereof having a first vertically extending portion 12, a second portion 13 extending upwardly and radially outwardly from the upper end of first portion 12, a rounded upper portion 14 and an outer peripheral wall 15 extending downwardly and radially inwardly from the rounded portion 14. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the first vertically extending portion 12 is also formed with a polygonal cross-sectional configuration having a series of flats 1'6 and corners 17 corresponding in number and shape to the polygonal configuration formed in the wall 6. A suitable gasketing material is flowed into the annular trough formed by the interior surface of the rounder upper portion 14 and heat cured into a permanent gasket 18. Extending radially inwardly from the lower end of the first vertical portion 12 of the flange securing portion is an annular web 19. At the inner end of the web 19 is a downwardly extending neck commencing in a downwardly and inwardly inclining gasketing portion 20 and continuing in a downwardly extending threaded wall 21. At least one opening such as indicated at 22 may be provided in the threaded wall 21 in order to provide complete drainage of the container when it is emptied. The neck of the flange defines the opening through which the contents of the container is dispensed and has a closure plug 2 threadedly engaged therewith. The plug 2 here shown is formed of a synthetic plastic material, of which polypropylene and polyethylene are nonlimiting example, having a bottom wall 23 and a threaded side wall 24 terminating at its upper end in a radially outwardly projecting head 25. Located beneath the head 25 is a gasket seat 26 for retention of a suitable gasket 27. Formed integrally with the plug are a pair of wrench engaging lugs 11.

To complete the closure assembly, a tamperproof seal is incorporated therein taking the form of a cap seal 3 having a flat top 28 and a laterally depending skirt 29 therearound terminating in a lowermost free edge 30. Porjecting radially outwardly from the skirt free edge 30 are a pair of tearing ears 31 extending from the ends of a diametrically extending tear strip 32 formed in the top and skirt of the cap seal. The tear strip 32 is defined by a pair of score lines 33 to facilitate ease of tearing. An annular sealing gasket 34 is formed in the same manner as the flange gasket 18 within the cap seal 3 at the radiused juncture of the top and skirt.

As stated earlier, an important aspect of the instant invention is the manner in which the closure flange 1 is secured within the container -wall opening. FIG. 2 illustrates the relationship of the parts prior to the securing operation where it can be seen that the flange is first inserted within the opening neck with the upper wall 6 seated against the first vertically extending flange portion 12. The respective polygonal formations in the neck and flange are mated together throughout their vertical extent with the neck free edge 8 surrounding the base of the flange portion 13 and the horizontal annular neck wall 7 lying in the same horizontal plane as the flange web 19. The container wall 4 is then placed within the flange insertion die with the lower surface of neck wall 7 supported by a lower die member 50. An upper die member 51 provided with a curling anvil 52 is then brought in contact with the flange upper rounded end 15. Continued downward travel of the upper die member 51 causes the flange securing portion to fold about the opening neck wall 6. The resulting double seam joint is clearly shown in FIG. 4 where it is seen that the flange gasket 18 is tightly compressed between the rounded end 14 and outer wall 15 of the flange securing portion and the free edge 8 and upper wall 6 of the container opening neck. Also comparing FIGS. 2 and 4 it can be seen that after the securing operation is completed the flange web 19 lies in a plane spaced substantially below the annular neck wall 7. This drawing down of the the flange within the opening neck causes a desirable tightening up of the joint, eliminating any bulging or puckering of excess metal. The torque resisting relationship of the flange and neck is maintained in that the upper portion of the flats 16 and corners 17 in the flange securing portion are still mated to the flats 9 and corners 10 remaining in the lower bent over portion 6a and of the neck wall 6. The polygonal configuration initially formed in the upper portion of the wall 6 is effectively flattened out between the adjacent flange portions 13 and 15 during the securing operation.

Most importantly, however, is the outward radial extension of the now seamed or headed over flange end portion 14 beyond the lower neck wall 5 forming an annular downwardly facing over hang surface 40. FIGS. 5 and 6 show how this over hang surface facilitates the securement of the overlying cap seal 3. In FIG. 5 the plug 2 is threaded into the flange neck 21 after the container is filled and the plug gasket 26 brought into sealing contact with the flange gasketing portion 20. The assembly is then completed by placing a cap seal 3 over the flange and plug so that its skirt 29 extends below the over hang surface 40 and with the skirt free edge 30 lying in radially spaced relationship to the lower neck wall 5. The cap seal skirt 3 is then crimped or otherwise formed radially inwardly about the underlying flange and opening neck as seen in FIG. 6. This crimping operation causes the cap seal gasket 34 to be compressed against the now up wardly facing flange surface 13, at the same time the lower portion of the skirt 29 is formed radially inwardly underneath the overhang surface 40 with the skirt free edge 30 lying adjacent the lower neck wall 5. The engagement of the skirt 29 underneath the double seamed joint between the opening neck and flange is effective not only as a secondary pressure seal but also to render the container contents accessible only after the seal has been destructively removed through tearing of the tear strip 32.

Thus, it is evident that the instant invention presents a new and improved closure assembly which is economical to manufacture while at the same time adhering to commercially acceptable sealing principles. Furthermore, the unique flange container neck double seamed connection is formed in accordance with present manufacturing practice in the container industry and, as described earlier, is adapted for effective securement of an overlying cap seal so as to result in an improved low profile closure.

Since numerous variations and modifications of the container wall closure assembly combination will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, it is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction described and shown and various embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the scope thereof. It is accordingly intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention what I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A container wall closure assembly combination comprising a container wall formed with a circular opening therein bordered by an upwardly extending neck having a lower cylindrical wall terminating at its upper end in a radially outwardly opening channel shaped portion, a closure flange secured within said neck including a peripheral securing formation having a first upwardly extending portion terminating at its upper end in a radially inwardly opening channel shaped portion, said opening neck channel shaped portion and said flange channel shaped portion being interlockingly engaged, said lower cylindrical neck wall having an outside diameter no greater than the outside diameter of said interlocking engagement of said respective flange and neck portions, said container wall closure assembly combination including a closure seal engaging seat, and said flange having a closure receiving neck positioned below said interlocking engage ment and extending from the lower end of said first upwardly extending portion.

2. A container wall closure assembly combination as in claim 1, including a closure sealingly engaging said flange neck and an overlying tamperproof seal in engagement with said seat.

3. A container wall closure assembly combination as in claim 1, said flange neck extending downwardly with respect to said first upwardly extending portion and adapted to receive a screw threaded closure plug.

4. A container wall closure assembly combination as in claim 1, and including interengaging noncircular surfaces on said flange and opening neck so as to prevent relative rotational displacement therebetween.

5. A container wall closure assembly combination as in claim 1, wherein said interlocking engagement of said 5 6 respective flange and neck portions extends radially out- References Cited wardly of said lower cylindrical neck wall. UNITED STATES PATENTS 6. A contalner wall closure assembly as 1n claim 5, a closure sealingly engaging said flange neck and an over- 1709324 4/1929 Runs 220-39 lying tamperproof seal having a disk-like top panel sur 5 3149744 9/1964 Pentesco 22039 rounded by a depending skirt, the lower portion of said skirt being formed radially inwardly below said inter- THERON CONDON Exammer' locking engagement. G. T. HALL, Assistant Examiner. 

